Medial Branch Block
What is a Medial/ Sacroiliac Lateral Branch Block?
The Medial Branch Block refers to the sensory nerves that carry pain signals from the facet joints to the brain. The Sacroiliac Lateral Branch Block refers to the sensory nerves that carry pain signals from the sacroiliac joints to the brain. Each block is an injection of lidocaine around the sensory nerves that is temporarily blocking the pain signals. The Branch Block is a temporary diagnostic test that is used to find a particular joint that is causing the pain. It is usually preformed prior to a Radiofrequency Ablation to verify that the patient is a candidate for the procedure. The patient will need to have a 50% relief of pain or higher to continue on with the RFA.
How does a Branch Block relieve my pain?
The Branch Block temporarily relieves pain around the sensory nerve when the lidocaine is injected around the joint, stopping the pain signal from the nerve to the brain for a short time. The effect is only temporary as it is a diagnostic test only.
Dr. Ashraf Hanna performs a Cervical Medial Branch Block at the Florida Spine Institute.
What can I expect during and after the procedure?
During:
- The procedure usually takes 15-30 minutes
- The patient lies flat on his/her abdomen
- The area of the injection is cleaned and numbed with lidocaine
- The patient is put under with a light sedation
- Using live X-Ray (fluoroscopy) for guidance, the physician inserts the needle towards medial (facet joint) or lateral nerve branch (sacroiliac joint)
- Once placement is confirmed, lidocaine is injected around the sensory nerve
After:
- The patient is usually monitored for 15-30 minutes before being discharged.
- The patient must have a driver
- Patients are usually asked to rest the day of the injections
- Normal activities can be typically resumed within 24-48 hours following the injection, it is common to experience an increase in pain once the numbing medicine wears off.
Published Clinical Evidence
Medial branch neurotomy in low back pain.
Pulsed radiofrequency application in the treatment of chronic pain.
About Ketamine Therapy
Intravenous (IV) ketamine infusion therapy has emerged as a treatment option for a variety of chronic pain conditions including fibromyalgia, small fiber neuropathy, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) and psychiatric conditions including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicidal ideation,
and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Dr. Hanna is America’s top doctor offering IV Ketamine Infusion treatment, with over 1,000 treatments performed. Patients are reporting amazing, miraculous results with only a few treatments.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ketamine Safe?
Ketamine has a very safe track record and has been in use since the 1970s. Ketamine causes very little depression of a patient’s respiratory drive, which is why is has been attractive as an anesthetic agent in the military and in developing countries.
Who will oversee my infusions?
Our highly trained nurse practitioners or physician assistants will oversee your infusions and will monitor your vital signs through the process.
What safe practices are in place at IVKetamine.com?
Even though Ketamine has a very high safety profile, all patients are placed on cardiac monitoring and pulse oxygenation monitoring. IVKetamine.com sets the standard for patient safety
Will my infusions take place in a private setting?
At IVKetamine.com, each patient receives an infusion in a private room with observation by trained staff.